Scores of surfers showed up yesterday at magic Island to pay last respects to Randall and Carol Kim, shot to death at their Mililani home last week in a killing that also claimed Terry Nakasone.
Photo by Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin

The slain couple were remembered in the same waters where Randall Kim, 36, had surfed about a week earlier.

"This was Randall's favorite surfing spot," said friend David Skedeleski of Aiea. "It was the last place he surfed before he died."

The Rev. Mike Stangel, pastor of North Shore Christian Fellowship, where the Kims, both reborn Christians, worshiped, said later the service at sea was awesome.

"I've done my share of funerals, but nothing comes close to this one," he said.

The Kims were shot to death by a neighbor who took his own life at their Mililani home a week ago yesterday.

Terry Nakasone, a friend of the Kims, also was slain.

The 5 p.m. service began on shore with Dru Bjorn leading in singing "Amazing Grace." Surfers stood in a semicircle with their boards.

Stangel in brief remarks said Carol Kim was the peacemaker, Randall Kim the protector. As the beach portion of the service ended, surfers cheered, then headed out to sea on their boards. Family members went out by boat, where they met beyond the reef.

"We tread water, threw flowers and made noise," a surfer said later.

"Everybody was saying goodbyes," Stangel said of the last rites at sea.

Joel and Doris Shaw said they remembered Randall Kim. He taught their son, Jody, to surf, when Jody was 15 and Randall was 19.

"I never forgot him," Doris Shaw said. "He was so polite and well-mannered."

On the way back, the scores of surfers caught waves in memory of their departed fellow surfer, Randall Kim, who shared their love of the "Big Rights" surfing spot and its waves off Ala Moana Beach.